The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-09
TIE GREENCASTLE REUNION
Second Day of the Annual Meeting of
the Veterans of Wilder's Brigade.
The Time Devoted to Speech Making, Relat-
ing "reminiscences and Singing Old Army
Songs-A Season Of Genuine Enjoyment.
Special to the Indianapolis JourDa,

/ at about 5000 people, gathered at the camp
! grounds of the Wilder Brigade last night, where
was held the annual campfire the main feature
OF the reunion. The meeting was called together
| by W. E. Starr, of the Eighth Indiana Battery.
| who introduced Judge Silas D. Coffey chair
| man of the evening. Following prayer by Bishop
Bowman was a song, "Tenting on the Old
Camp ground" by sextet composed of lead
ing vocalists of the city. Rev. NJ NJ.
Parkhurst, of this city, was then pre-
scented to the audience and delivered
the principal address of the evening.
The speaker said they were assembled to well
come comrades of as grand brigade
marched to the defense of glorious flag,
which day protects with equal power in this
and all other lands. Because of the valor of the
veterans we have to-day the strongest govern
ment on the face of the earth-so strong that
neither the revolution of parties nor the infiu-
enee of foreign power can change our policy
Mr.. Parkhurst said we must look to our schools
and universities for the future welfare of
country; that the topics discussed az such places
those, and not the wrangling on
the Chicago board of Trade, fore
Swallowed the future of country.
He said their calling soldiers has passed
away; that the seemed fearful dream.
and hoped they would never be called upon to
take up arms again, out WOulO DoaL tne1E
swords into ploughshares, and work to era of
moral and political COVE rnment on the princi-
pie of good will to all men,"
DR. Parkhurst is splendid orator, and his
address was we'll received.
Following DIR. Parkhurst was recitation by
Miss Ssdelia Starr entitled. 'The OLD Veteran
and His Grandson" Miss Starr is of the
most accomplished young ladies of this city, and
on more than one occasion has won the hearts of
the veterans at their reunions by her powers in
declaiming. and the way in which she brought
tears to the eyes of the veterans shows she has
lost none of her cunning. Miss Starr responded
to an encore be reciting "Sheridans Ride"
After short speech by Major James A. Con-
nelly, of Illinois, Miss Kate Hammond, one of
the finest contralto sooists CT the city. sang the
Battle Hymn of the Republic" ard responded
to an encore by giving one of her popular reci
tations.
The remainder of the evenings entertainment
interspersed with music and "reminiscences
by the old officers and comrades of the brigade.
The meeting success in every particular.
Morning dawned bright and cool on the camp.
and the veterans we're astir at an early hour
scarcely showing the effect of the previous days
work. Two hundred and fifty additional veter-
ans arrived during the night The first business
of the morning was the regmental reunions. the
panies and going through the various
military tactics with great pride.
After the veterans had formed into their re-
spectve regiments, the brigade line was formed
and each comrade was presented with elegant
silver badge by Gen and Mrs. Wilder The
badge is of silver about the size of silver dol
lar The modal bears on one side the appella-
ton given the regiment by Gen. Garfield after
the battle of Chickamauga: "Wilder's lightning
Brigade" the dates 1S61-1S65; a cannon rife and
shield while the reverse is left blank for the
wearer's name The badges were designed and
executed by Tiffany, of New York. After the
presentation OF medals was completed a commit
tee from the brigade waited on Gen. Wilder and
presented him with an elegant gold headed cane
and gold badge After a feeling response to
this unexpected proceeding, Gen. Wilder intro
duced his wife and child to the brigade amid
deafening cheers. Miss Starr was then waited
upon by the committee and presented with
handsome silver card case and badge of the
brigade in honor of her performance of last
evening.
After short addresses by Gen. Milo s. HascaIl
formerly colonel of the Seventy second Indiana.
and Gen. A. 0. Miller, afterwards colonel Of the
same regiment Gen. Ben Harrison was pre-
sented to the brigade and delivered the address Of
the day General Harrison was received with
great cheers. and repeatedly applauded
while speaking. He spoke of the brotherly feel
ing existing among the veterans, causing them
to come together at these reunions as members
of one family. The result of the war. he said.
was the great advancement of the g-andast gov
everlasting debt of gratitude to the veterans
that had carried it through. He advo- |
Gated the erection OF national sol |
diers monument at Washington a |
grand scale, and thought it would |
be fit thing TO remind future generations of |
the patriotism of the nations defenders He |
spoke IN favor of increasing the pension list |
said there cry of too many soldiers dur
ing the war. and should be none now of too long |
a pension list He said he would honor no man |
his grave because he was rebel soldier. He |
would accord to every man the right of private |
opinion, but would not in any instance place |
traitor on a level with loyal man.
IF arrico psec onoT,t
the singing and giving "reminiscences by |
rades were renewed. This work was entered |
into with The greatest zeal and good nature by |
the entire brigade. One veteran, while |
speaking. having Incidentally mentioned |
the of a comrade who was
able to attend the reunion &C.
count of sickness and poverty collection was /
at taken for his benefit and 800 was |
raised in few moments.
At II NJ the brigade marched to the commits
sary department where dinner was served by |
the ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps.
The regiments represented in the reunion |
as follows: Seventeenth Indiana, POI; Seventy |
second Indiana. pa; Ninety-eighth Illinois, 142;
One hundred and twenty-third Illinois, 200; |
Eighteenth Indiana Battery. Al
Among the officers of the brigade present |
were the following: Capt. Il. B. Thst!ewood, |
ex-Mayor of Cairo H.. and Adjutant Alden |
Knoph, of the Ninety eighth Illinois Regiment; |
Maj S. S. Kilbourn, of MARSHALL. ILL.,. and Gen. |
A. o. Miller of Lebanon. Ind. Of the Seventy |
second Indiana; Col Henry Jordon of this city. |
and Capt. Milton Beck. of Holton, Kas. of |
Milo S. Hascall, of Goshen Ind. |
the first commander of the brigade, |
The following officers of the brigade were |
elected for the coming year: Commander. Jno. |
T. Wilder; senior vice commander A. O. Miller; |
junior vice commander. Capt. VIM. Wood. Com |
mittee of arrangement: Seventeenth Indiana, S. |
E. Munford; Seyenty-seeond Indiana, Major |
Kilbourn Eighteenth Illinois, Alden Knoph; |
One-huEdred-a nd twenty third Illinois. Thos.
e. Wood; Eighteenth Indiana Battery. w. E. |
Starr
After dinner the veterans and citizens gath
cred together and listened to ad-
dresses by Major Reynolds. Brigader general
Hascall, and the farewell address of General |
Wilder. At P. NJ the meeting was turned into |
general love feast and it was with the greates5
regret the veterans bid their commander and
comrades good bye
The reunion mas been great success far be-
yond the expectations of its projectors. Two